West Coast Cannabis is Legit

It began with arguments over small matters of taste, like which is better, bebop or cool jazz? Hollywood or Broadway? Pizza or burritos, Tupac Shakuror the Notorious B.IG.? Now the war between the Coasts has taken a severe turn, and sides are drawn between the strength and superiority of East and West Coast cannabis strains. The question: which shoreline rocks the better weed? Let’s compare:

Digging into Weed on the West Coast

When it comes to the cannabis laws on the books and legalization, the West Coast shines. California, Oregon, and Washington hug the Pacific shore and sport some of the most progressive cannabis guidelines in the country. And California has long been a national leader in cannabis cultivation and culture–Humbolt County, we’re looking at you! However, California isn’t the only west coast state with deep roots. Retail locations in surrounding states, like this Oregon dispensary, are a big reason why the West coast cannabis scene is legit.

Did you know…

California is the sixth-largest economy in the world? And the freshly-legalized cannabis biz contribution to that is a cool $7 billion annually. And that kind of green encourages both medical and black-market cannabis enterprises in supporting–literally and figuratively–the creation of new technologies, which translates into enhanced and increasingly sophisticated grow operations and impressive and novel weed strains.

This framework and legacy of a semi-legal environment for herb, coupled with a sublime growing climate, has boosted Californian growers in creating some incredible artisanal flowers. And in the mecca of Northern Cali, affectionately dubbed the Emerald Triangle, some locals, businesses, and even entire towns–and the businesses and tax revenues that love them–depend upon cannabis cultivation to grow the green.

Some believe that the Golden State brought the Kushes to full flower. Cali strains of note include OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies, Granddaddy Purple, and Blue Dream. And the Pacific Northwest has given us Blue Magoo and Middlefork (which is fun to say). If we lump Colorado with the Left Coast, we can add Charlotte’s Web to the list. Respect.

Digging into Weed on the East Coast

Yes, cannabis policy on the East Coast came late to the party, and many East Coast breeders and growers were forced to remain underground, burying and stifling innovation. Now, however, cannabis legalization is increasing in East Coast states, and many Atlantic-kissed areas have a form of medical cannabis program on the books.

And while the West Coast got the jump when the cannabis industry got taxable, the East Coast has a fierce cannabis cultivation culture and a rich and proud lineage of growers. Some extraordinary strains that originated on the East Coast include NYC Diesel, Triangle, and East Coast Cookies. Credit where credit is due.

East Coast vs West Coast: Cannabis Style

Intensely talented cannabis advocates, entrepreneurs, and cultivators can stand on either shoreline and watch the sun on its journey as it rises and sets. And many sensational strains of weed have their roots in the seed-swapping projects between West Coast and East Coast growers.

But there must be a victor in the battle, as the opponents in jazz band contests, catfights, and Superbowls already know, and the West Coast is having a moment in the cannabis business. However, that’s mainly because of the legal environment and not the growers’ craft.

The movement strengthening cannabis reform and legalization helps to nourish cultivators, gardens, grow spaces, and markets around the nation, allowing both sides of the weed wars–and all those who love, honor, and respect the herb–to thrive and grow together.